What We Do
We love creating, rehearsing, and performing Celtic and American folk music together, and enjoy a comfortable chemistry graced with humor, laughter, and a combined respect for the traditions of the music we choose to play. Our musical chemistry and playful spirit is something we both treasure, and it really comes through in our shows. We are proud to bring energy, passion, humor, and entertainment to every performance. Our audiences are extraordinary in their loyalty and appreciation, and we are happy to return that respect and appreciation to them.
Our Songs
It takes a good bit of research to find the kinds of songs that we perform, but once we have found them (or they have found us, as the case may be), we embrace each story and construct arrangements that we feel best suits the passion and meaning of the song. Songs that will almost always catch our interest are murder ballads, sea shanties, and songs that feature strong, dynamic women and men.
[From L: Don Haines, Don Beck, Jessica Haines, Scott Gardner, Mark Kaiser performing one minute Caleb Meyer on the cell phone video captured by Seth Davis at our concert to benefit KDHX on May 21, 2007]
We have performed at...
- The Sheldon Concert Hall , Saint Louis, MO The Dubliner , Saint Louis, MO Llywelyn's Welsh Pub , Saint Louis, MO The Scottish Arms , Saint Louis, MO The "Failte Saint Charles" Festival , Saint Charles, MO Castletown Geoghegan , Belleville, IL The Great Pacific Coffee House , Pacific, MO Cairdeas Coffee House , Saint Louis, MO
A product of Iowa City, IA, Jessica has a rich, deep ethereal quality to her voice - one which has been characterized as a "voice for the ages." A master storyteller, she adores broadsides, ballads, and seafaring tales that recount the deeds and misdeeds of lovers, drunkards, heroes and heroines. Her humor and passion are readily served by her versatile and emotive voice. She has been singing all of her life, having grown up with a family full of professional musicians, but her musical partnership with Mark marks her first endeavor into professional musical performance.
Jessica currently resides with her husband, David Bunton, in Saint Louis.
Mark Kaiser - guitars
Mark earned his respect for roots folk, delta blues, and jazz watching artists like Jim Dickinson, Todd Snider, and the North Mississippi All-Stars in the clubs of Memphis, Tennessee. However, when a friend took Mark to his first Irish Session in Oxford, Mississippi, he was immediately hooked on the "music of his people". When a job transfer brought Mark to Saint Louis in 2001, he was introduced to Jessica by a mutual friend who knew he was looking for a singer with a rich, deep alto voice. Since then, Jessica & Mark have developed a chemistry and friendship together that is evident on stage. Always energetic, Mark's innovative arrangements and spirited picking seems to come from deep within his soul, and brings an energy and passion that pairs naturally with Jessica's emotive expression. Studying Irish guitar with the likes of Ged Foley, Patrick Egan, and Dennis Cahill has only helped reinforce his deep respect for Celtic and American folk music traditions.
Mark resides with his wife, Sarah, in Saint Louis.